BREAKING Bad addicts can cheer up. The series might be coming to an end this month, but its makers have given the go ahead to a one-off prequel episode revealing Saul Goodman’s past.

Better Call Saul, also from American network AMC and producer Sony Pictures, will tell the story of the unflappable Goodman, played by Bob Odenkirk, in the days before he represented crystal meth cooks.

It will follow the crooked lawyer for Breaking Bad’s high school chemistry teacher-turned-crystal-meth manufacturer, Walter White (Bryan Cranston), in his early days.

“Plans call for Saul to be a one-hour prequel that will focus on the evolution of the popular Saul Goodman character before he ever became Walter White’s lawyer,” AMC said.

Breaking Bad is set to end this month after a critically acclaimed five seasons.

The final series, which can be watched in full via Netflix, has prompted an outpouring from fans who don’t want the show to end.

The dark, drug-fuelled drama about a man who takes desperate measures to ensure the financial security of his family when he discovers he has terminal cancer, has won a slew of awards during its five series and has been nominated for six Primetime Emmy Awards, including best drama, this year.

Odenkirk, who has been a series regular on the series since the third season, is expected to reprise the role.

The one-off prequel will be developed by Breaking Bad creator Andrew Gilligan and series writer-producer Peter Gould.

Industry website Deadline suggests that, if successful, Better Call Saul could be expanded into a new series.

AMC did not confirm when production would begin, but the series is believed to be chalked up for broadcast next year.

“The pact between AMC and Sony TV came after talks between the two sides came down to the wire, with other outlets, including Netflix, which has had huge success with Breaking Bad, very interested in snatching the spinoff series,” Deadline reports.